Ryan's Wish List - December 19th, 2011

Nike Pegasus+ 28:  This has been my favorite shoe for a long time! Great fit, nice cushioning, and a surprisingly stable ride for a neutral shoe. It also features Nike+ technology, and easily accommodates a Nike+ chip to track your distance and pace.  And the best part, this shoe comes in some pretty cool colors!

Recofit compression socks:  Out of all the compression sock brands I've tried, Recofit is my pick as the top choice of the lot! They have a light and breathable feel to them, while providing plenty of compression. Carbon is woven into the fabric which gives the user a relaxing and cooling sensation as well. Recofit is also made in the USA!

Nike Superfly Reflective Hat:  When it comes to night time visibility, this is THE hat! Featuring a revolutionary reflective coating, this hat literally glows when light hits it. It's a great way to stay safe and visible during the cold (and dark) winter months.

Nike+ Sportwatch GPS  Nike's newest addition to the GPS watch world is a good one! It's super-cool styling and small watch face (relative to most  GPS watches) make it a winner all the way around. The Nike+ online program where all your runs are logged is very easy to use, fun, and interactive and can help runners of any level stay motivated. It's built-in USB capability makes it very easy to charge the battery and download runs.

Nike Element Shield Full-Zip:  This is an awesome jacket! It has a comfy fleece lining, and a really nice fit overall. It features built-in hand warmers  and thumb holes, as well as three pockets for gels and keys. Though lightweight, this coat boasts a water and wind resistant layer to help battle winter's worst elements. Buy it as a gift and become the favorite family member this year!

Nike Tempo Track Pant:  Need pants? These are the ones for you! Nike's Tempo Track Pant is comfortable, functional, and fashionable. Featuring Dri-FIT fabric to wick moisture and two zippered pockets for your belongings. They are comfy enough to use as PJ's as well.

Disclaimer: I do not work for Nike. I received no monetary or baked-good compensation for my (almost) all-Nike wish list.

Need more holiday gift ideas? Pop in to Fleet Feet to check out Laurie's recommendations as well as many more!

Laurie's Wish List - December 13th, 2011

Mizuno Breath Thermo Run Glove: These cozy gloves use a revolutionary material which absorbs moisture from the body to generate heat. This same material is used in Mizuno's Virtual Body Design baselayer tops also found at Fleet Feet.

Nike Womens Structure+ 15 SHIELD: The perfect mid stability road shoe for wintery conditions with it's H2O Repel upper, which keeps the foot dry without the stiffness found in Gore-tex uppers. This shoe also offers a roomy forefoot but a snug midfoot and heel.

Thera Cane: No one with muscle tension should be without this trigger point/massage tool. Designed to help relieve chronic pain and knotted muscles.
Using the Thera Cane along with daily stretching can help you obtain long lasting relief.

Need more holiday gift ideas? Pop in to Fleet Feet to check out Laurie's recommendations as well as many more!

Graham's Wish List - December 7th, 2011

CWX Stabylix Tights. Not one to believe the hype, I was a late bloomer regarding CWX. Eventually, curiosity got the best of me and here I stand, drastically corrected. These compression tights target the muscle/tendon groups we use most in running. They're great for recovery, on a run when you're already a little sore, or if you just want a little extra snap in your step. Love them!

Smartwool Next-to-Skin Lightweight Zip T. How awesome is wool? Let me count the ways ... This material NATURALLY wicks moisture, stays smelling fresh, keeps you warm or cools you off ... the list goes on. Seriously, it's almost like this stuff is alive and has a brain. This shirt is the perfect base layer for any outdoor activity.

Garmin 610. My first Garmin watch changed the way I run. I don't have to map out runs beforehand anymore. If I need it, I always know what pace I'm running. I can use it to set up workouts and it keeps me on track. I can use the Virtual Partner to remind me to "pick it up, lazy," or "slow down, bonehead, you can't run that fast." These features barely scratch the surface of this gunslinger of a watch. Swing by the store and I'll tell you all about it.

Balega trail sock. Smooth as butter, baby! It's like packing your shoes full of clouds. I was introduced to Balega socks about five years ago and went straight home to burn my old cotton socks in effigy (not entirely true). I've literally not had a blister on my feet since then (totally true). These trail socks have a little extra cushion for those extra-long trail runs. 

New Balance Minimus trail shoe. As the resident minimal footwear junkie, I've experimented with a lot of minimal shoe options. I don't really judge much in better/worse terms ... our shoes all cater to runners' different needs. This is a great shoe that has a lovely balance of protection versus being minimal enough for your foot to maintain the ability to engage and interact with the terrain. 

Need more gift ideas? We've got 'em. Pop in to Fleet Feet to check out Graham's recommendations and see lots more!

Jack's Gift Guide - November 30th, 2011

CEP Compression Socks (pictured): These socks work wonders. When, against my better judgment, I irresponsibly go on long runs that my legs can't handle, these socks are always there to help me recover faster. Wearing them for three to ten hours after a run has remarkable and noticeable effects: I feel ready to rock and roll the next day with minimal delayed onset of muscle soreness. CEP socks are a must have for any runner and they double as a second layer of insulation.

Mizuno Breath Thermo thermal top: Hands down, this is the best top we sell. It's a nice form-fitting base layer with a touch of elasticity and available with red or blue accents. Plus, it features Mizuno's most popular new fabric, Breath Thermo-a pretty amazing fiber that heats up when it's exposed to moisture. Make this your go-to layer in your winter ensemble. 

Sugoi Versa Jacket: Can't decide whether to wear a shell or a vest? Wear both. The Sugoi Versa jacket takes convertible shells and tops to new performance levels with seven hidden magnets that attach the long sleeves to the vest. When you get too hot, simply shed the sleeves and pack them in the rear pouch-no more messing with jammed zippers or annoying buttons. Simply brilliant.

Smartwool PhD outdoor socks: No doubt you've seen and heard about these; but are they worth the $20 price tag? YES! Once you slip these on your feet, you'll never wear cotton socks again. Why? The itchless merino wool naturally pulls moisture away from your feet, keeping them comfortable and blister free. This seamless sock is engineered to provide more support to five specific areas of the foot to minimize movement and maximize comfort.

OPTP massage roller: We love The Stick by RPI but for the discerning athlete who needs deeper and more intense self massage, the OPTP massage roller goes the extra mile. The roller is very firm and doesn't bend, allowing you to target muscles deep in your calves, quads, hamstrings, glutes and just about everywhere else. Separate roller segments also allow for myofascial release (some of your muscles and fascia stick together; you want them nice and loose to increase lymphatic drainage and circulation, and encourage increased muscle function). No runner, cyclist or triathlete should be without an OPTP massage roller.

Need more gift ideas? We've got 'em. Pop in to Fleet Feet to check out Jack's recommendations and see lots more!